Districts:
West Oxfordshire Parishes
Fawler
The following wildlife habitats fall within this parish. They are listed according to their associated landscape type or local character area.
If you want more information about any of the sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) listed below, take a look at English Nature's Nature on the Map website. It may also be possible to find out a bit more about the unnamed wildlife habitats in the parish by contacting the Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre (owls@oxfordshire.gov.uk) and quoting the site code next to the habitat description.
The majority of these wildlife habitats are on private land and access to them is not possible without permission of the landowner, unless there is a statutory right of way. However, many wildlife habitats in the county are open to the public. More information on these can be obtained from the Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum.
Wildlife Habitats
Farmland Slopes and Valley Sides
Site Code: 31Y06
Area: 14ha
Reed Hill SSSI
Reed Hill is a dry valley with limestone grassland, scrub and woodland habitats. Limestone grassland is now mainly restricted to steep banks such as this and is a national priority for nature conservation.
The limestone grassland has a rich variety of small colourful wildflowers, which are typical for this habitat. These include green-winged orchid, pyramidal orchid, marjoram, wild thyme and rock rose. Early purple orchid, which is more usually found in ancient woodland, is also present. Downy woundwort, which is very rare and found mainly in this part of the Cotswolds, has been recorded at Reed Hill. This species is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and is a national priority for nature conservation. The site has a good variety of uncommon invertebrates including the small blue butterfly, Duke of Burgundy fritillary and dark green fritillary butterflies.
Wooded Estatelands
Site Code: 31T12
Area: 0.1ha
Palmer’s Bank
Palmer’s Bank is a small grassy hedgebank at the edge of a field used for arable crops. It is important because it has a population of perfoliate pennycress. This very rare plant is also known as Cotswold pennycress because it is found only in this part of the UK. It is a national nature conservation priority due too its rarity.